Pre stage

After your initial enquiry, we'll:contact you for an initial discussion within 1 working day.send you an information pack within 5 working days.

We'll invite you to an adoption information meeting.

If you wish to proceed, we'll ask you to complete an expression of interest form.

We may phone you for another discussion.

We'll invite you to an adoption foundation day to help you prepare for adoption, learn about the process and understand the needs of adopted children.

We'll make a decision to proceed to stage 1 of the adoption process with you. If we decide not to proceed, we'll give you clear written reasons why. Opening a new window

Stage 1 (usually a 2 month period)

We'll ask you to attend 3 workshops covering:guidance to complete your written workbookslearning about the backgrounds of children and understanding the impact of trauma on children's development'early permanence', also known as fostering for adoption.

We'll invite you to complete a registration of interest form and help you complete a home learning reflective workbook.

We'll allocate a worker to support you through the process.

We'll start background checks and references and you'll need to arrange a medical.

We'll invite you to 2 days of adoptive parents training. We'll also ask you to attend a paediatric first aid course and complete the 'First4Adoption' e-learning modules.

At our regular adopter network events, you can meet other adopters and hear about support available in Hertfordshire.

Your worker will arrange a review meeting with you, then write up a summary and make a recommendation about your readiness to process to stage 2. If we decide not to proceed, we'll give you clear reasons why verbally and in writing. Opening a new window

Stage 2 (usually a 4 month period)

We'll allocate a social worker to:visit you at home, discuss the process, agree an assessment plan and sign a stage 2 agreement.visit you at home a number of times and visit your personal references.write up a prospective adopter's report and share it with you. You'll have 5 days to comment on it.

We'll invite you to another day of adoptive parent training.

The adoption panel will:read your reportmeet with you and your social workerlet you know their recommendation on the same day, then follow up in writing within 2 weeks.share their recommendation with the agency decision maker, who will make a final decision regarding your approval.

Panel recommendations

If the panel thinks you are suitable, over the next 6 months we'll:

add your names to the Adoption Register

develop a matching agreement with you

match you with children we feel suit you and the skills you have

link you with children, following selection

support you before, during and after children are placed.

invite you to an adoption order and celebration hearing.

If the panel do notfeel able to make a recommendation for approval, you will: